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How to Clean Up, The Kid Version

Organizing my family is hard because I am not a natural in the area of organization.  I have the tools, the technology but organizing my kids is a bit like herding cats.  Of course, you can't "herd" cats.  But I will get my kids to do more around the house and to help me stay organized in 2008.  The picture I posted is the result of asking my younger daughter to clean up the basement.  She simply picked up the clutter, put it in a laundry basket and put the basket in another room.  Outta sight, outta mind. 

In the mind of a 9-year-old, this is okay.  But I am on a mission and it's NOT just a New Year's Resolution, to keep things more orderly around our house.  The level of average chaos has risen lately to a level that makes it hard to find anything.  I am not a neat freak but even by my low standards of housekeeping, our house looks like a bomb went off.    There are times when I get through to the kids and times when I don't.  I truly believe that the girls MUST think one of the following:
We have a staff of 3 full time people to pick up after them
There are magical fairies in the broom closet who will pick up after them.

Otherwise, I just do not know how they can continue to leave a trail of clutter and junk in their wake, as they zip out the door from one activity to another.  I am not trying to be a downer here but does anyone else have this problem with the kids?  I am tired of nagging and would love to know some of your tips.

I will be posting in the next few days about some good tools I'm using to get organized a little more.  A spotless house is not in my future, not with my girls and 3 animals.  But I just have to dig out of the hole of clutter we've dug ourselves into.  I can't see over the desk and evey clear surface holds some kind of pile of papers or laundry or books.